Jakeem Grant is expected to be a popular name in free agency. The Bears All-Pro return specialist is expected to have a “robust market,” according to Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com (via Twitter). Per the reporter, teams are “emphasizing field position and players who are a threat to take it the distance.”
Meanwhile, Grant was mentioned on NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero’s list of free agents “who could get paid more than you think.” Per the reporter, it wouldn’t be shocking if the 29-year-old earns a deal worth more than $5MM per year, which would make him the NFL’s highest-paid return specialist.
Grant was a sixth-round pick by the Dolphins in 2016. He proved to be serviceable on offense during his time in Miami, including a 2020 campaign where he hauled in 36 receptions for 373 yards. He also started earning some league-wide recognition for his special teams prowess during that 2020 season. Grant earned an All-Pro nod after returning 29 punts for 330 yards and one touchdown.
He was acquired by the Bears midway through the 2021 season in exchange for a sixth-round pick. In total, he got into 17 games between Miami and Chicago last year, finishing with 309 punt return yards, including a franchise-record 97-yard punt return against the Packers. Grant also earned his first career Pro Bowl appearance in 2021.
Miami needs to bring him back
No they don’t.
Why would you pay $5 million for a return specialist?
Devin Hester and Dante Hall answered that question pefectly. Additional Specialists included guys like Trindon Holliday who took three touchdowns back for the Broncos in their Super Bowl Campaign in 2015. Great Return Specialists can quickly turn the tide in games. Don’t believe me, just ask the 2003 Denver Broncos who lost a game on a Dante Hall return for the ages.
He was fine in Miami, they just wanted him to be more then what he was, they would often throw him out there on offence and he had too many drops. If they would have left him just returning kicks he would have been fine
Green Bay needs to make it happen!
Right… with all that money they didn’t give to #12
Dumb to spend that type of money on a return guy. They can easily be mitigated by a punter and in a close game they are..when his team is down by 20 points, the other team just wants to burn the clock.